Generations of farming and landowning knowledge close to the Suffolk and Essex coast is providing a cost-effective solution for energy infrastructure developers to meet their 30-year obligation to leave the natural environment in a better condition than it was before.

A venture by a network of farms believes it can take the pain out of the biodiversity net gain (BNG) obligations faced by developers building onshore infrastructure for offshore energy projects in the East of England.

Longhorn cattle at Darsham Old Hall are helping to improve the habitat by opening up tracts of woodland to natural light (Image: NATURE BASED FARMING/ON POINT PR)

Nature Based Farming’s three farms have been restored and rewilded and are developing habitats close to existing nature reserves – such as Minsmere’s RSPB reserve – and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which delivers added impact to the biodiversity units it can sell to developers.

Their geographical position close to proposed offshore wind, interconnector and National Grid developments provides an affordable answer to the professionally managed, high-integrity farming expertise and restorative management for long-term diversity that developers need.

Under the Environment Act 2021, developers must restore and add 10% more biodiversity on or near their project by the time it is completed. ‘Section 106’ agreements between developers and local planning authorities ensure BNG is achieved and maintained for 30 years.

Nature Based Farming........

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